Tax experts have called on African countries to embrace digital solutions to enhance revenue administration and collection, aiming to boost efficiency, increase revenue, and drive economic growth across the continent.

The call was made during the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), which commenced on Tuesday in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Running from Monday to Friday, the annual event includes a General Assembly to elect a new ATAF Council, marking the conclusion of the current Council’s term.

Speaking at the forum, Gershem Pasi, former commissioner general of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, emphasised the importance of adapting revenue systems to the rapidly evolving global landscape. “In a rapidly evolving global landscape, revenue administrations must adapt to new challenges and opportunities to ensure sustainable economic growth,” he said.

ATAF Executive Secretary Logan Wort emphasised the transformative role of technology in revenue collection.

“The adoption of technology has a far-reaching impact to improve revenue collection, especially [from] high-net-worth individuals,” he said, adding that embracing digital technologies enhances tax collection efficiency, improves data analytics to detect and prevent tax evasion, and fosters innovation in tax administration systems.

Ronald Niwenshuti, commissioner general of the Rwanda Revenue Authority, focused on the role of collaboration and capacity-building in advancing revenue mobilisation.

“A moment like this gives us an opportunity to once again recommit our support to ATAF, forge a unified front, and share experience and success stories in areas such as policy, technology, global taxation, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics,” he said.

Philippe Kokou B. Tchodie, commissioner general of the Togo Revenue Authority, stressed the importance of meeting citizens’ expectations through modernised governance and tax systems. “The future of our administrations depends on improving technologies, data analysis, and artificial intelligence,” he said.

Ken Morris, former commissioner general of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service, praised ATAF’s role in strengthening tax systems in Africa. “ATAF has helped Botswana collect revenue through an efficient tax administration. The business environment has transformed faster due to modern technology; thus, tax administrators must align to this change,” he said, commending development partners for their support.

Rwandan Minister of State in charge of the National Treasury, Richard Tusabe, called for swift action to modernise African tax administrations. “It’s time to focus and design tax administrations that can address challenges such as revenue collection. It’s important to position Africa to become efficient and leverage the opportunities that we have,” he said.

The forum has drawn over 500 delegates, including tax stakeholders, officials, and experts, for discussions, seminars, and workshops on topics such as financing sustainable development goals, domestic resource mobilisation, and the role of tax administrations in advancing Africa’s development agenda.